The ex-St Mirren midfielder was part of the Paisley side who won promotion to the SPL before then going on to establish themselves in the top flight under Danny Lennon. It is little surprise then, that he's settled so seamlessly into Jackie McNamara's side.

Murray was in the thick of it at the weekend as the Jags maintained their 100% start in the Irn-Bru First Division this season with a 2-1 victory over Livingston.

Steven Lawless, the Irn-Bru Young Player of the Month for August, netted twice to seal the victory, the home side's Jordan Morton's goal proving nothing more than a consolation.

If the winning run continues it will not take long for expectations among the Firhill support to start growing. Murray, though, is well aware of the twists and turns that can shape a season and he has played down the significance of Thistle's impressive run.

"It is a great start and we're delighted with it," he said, "but all we have done so far is give ourselves a good grounding.

"The most important thing is building on that and just taking it step by step.

"It would be silly to make any great announcements about what we are going to go on and do. I know only too well that the First Division is a strong league.

"It is a really tough league to get out of, because there are so many teams capable of beating one another.

"There really isn't a massive gulf between top and bottom, so consistency is going to be a big thing for us. That will be the most important thing."

Murray has been heavily involved in the season so far and despite spending so long out injured during the latter year of his St Mirren contract, he has had no niggles to date.

A strong pre-season has set him up and he is optimistic that he has the ability to keep pace with the youngsters in McNamara's side.

THE 33-year-old said: "I'm feeling great. In some ways, it might actually work for me that I was out for so long as I feel fresh and I am really enjoying things just now.

"When I left St Mirren at the end of last season I lost count of the number of people who asked me how tough it would be to settle anywhere else, but I feel as though I've been here for years.

"I'm loving coming into work. The training is good, the dressing room is strong and the boss has been over the course and done it all before.

"He commands a lot of respect because we all know that he has played at the top level."

McNamara brought in a lot of youngsters over the season and Murray believes that the reason they have knitted so quickly together as a unit is down to the blend of youth and experience within the side.

"There are a few of us older heads in there but largely it is a young side and they have done really well," he said.

"A lot of them have a point to prove and their hunger and commitment is there for everyone to see.

"The job now is just to keep things going. We've got Cowdenbeath next and it is important that there is no complacency ahead of that one."